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As I waited upon God for words of encouragement to write, the lyrics of a song called ‘I Will Praise You in This Storm’ by Casting Crowns came immediately to mind. ‘This storm’ being the adversity you face right now!

The opening verse says this:

‘I was sure by now, God you would have reached down, and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day, but once again I say ‘Amen’ and its still raining. As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, ‘I’m with you’. And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away. (That’s how many are feeling right now). Chorus says: Yet I’ll praise You in this Storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm’. You might like to download it from Itunes or read the words online.

This song has strengthened and inspired me through many trials. I believe it is a profound key to strengthen your resolve to ‘hold on’ and ‘hold strong’ in the midst of this debilitating drought. A smaller proportion of you may not be as deeply affected by drought but are experiencing other concerning issues that need help from ‘Someone bigger than us’.

My precious friends, I. too have walked through many droughts and trodden some very treacherous paths in life. I don’t offer these words lightly! I KNOW the power of God’s Word to strengthen a human heart! I have found that adversity is an opportunity to make me bitter or better.

John 14:27 (Amplified Version) offers this promise, ‘My peace I leave with you, MY OWN PEACE I NOW GIVE and BEQUEATH to you. Do not allow your hearts to troubled neither let them be afraid. (stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed: and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated cowardly and unsettled), but INSTEAD, LIFT YOUR FOCUS TOWARD GOD AS A DELIBERATE ACT OF YOUR WILL and pray, ‘I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM’. Thank You in advance for meeting ALL of our needs according to Your unlimited riches in heaven’. Maybe you could take your spouse’s hand and pray together OUT LOUD Habakkuk 3:19 (Amp version again) ‘The Lord God is my Strength (power, security), My personal bravery and my invincible Shield; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to WALK, (not stand still in terror, but to WALK AND MAKE SPIRITUAL PROGRESS upon my high places (of trouble, suffering or responsibility).

WALK ON! Do whatever is humanly possible to do and trust God for the difference. Take one hour, one day at a time! ASK Him which way to go in those pressing daily decisions and expectantly look for that gentle inner voice that says, ‘this is the way’. The answer could be something so simple yet so profound that you haven’t even thought of it. HIS wisdom is so much greater than ours! The wisdom of our ‘all seeing’ ‘all knowing’ God who knows the end from the beginning and has your very best personal interest uppermost on His mind!

MY PRAYER FOR YOU ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACROSS OUR NATION WHO HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED TO PRAY FOR MANY MONTHS IS THIS:

Heavenly Father, May there be a supernatural strengthening in both man and beast until the steady soaking, grass growing, dam filling, drought breaking rains come! Please reveal Yourself in a way EVERY PERSON can understand – meaningful to them personally. I pray for JOY AND PEACE to flood every heart and mind in the midst of the circumstances, may Your comfort, gracious encouragement and wisdom minister continuously. You are a God Who never sleeps nor slumbers. As people sleep, I pray solutions will come. May Your Supernatural provision abound to those in greatest need. After the drought breaks, I pray You will guide them every step of the way as they assess what next steps to take. Amen.

I pray that a tangible supernatural outpouring of HOPE be released across our Nation. May each one of us purposely focus on things we have to be thankful and grateful for! What we HAVE, rather than what we HAVE NOT.

And finally, a word from my heart to yours: You may never have given God much thought, you may have thought ‘I’m not good enough’ or alternatively ‘I’m a good person, why do I need a Saviour?’. You may have always relied on ‘self’ to get you through or been one who proudly proclaimed ‘I did it my way’! We all eventually come to a place where we have to honestly assess and ask ourselves ‘how’s that been working for me’. I will tell you right now that making the decision to invite Jesus to be your Saviour is the most life altering decision, the beginning of the richest, most fulfilling journey a human life can ever experience. The Bible tells us that ‘Those who call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved’. It is as simple as a whispered prayer. ‘Lord I’m in deep distress, I need Your help, I ask You to forgive me for each and every time I’ve ‘missed the mark’ in Your sight. I humbly acknowledge I need your help. Amen.

NO STATE OF PERFECTION IS REQUIRED! – JUST A HUMBLE GENUINE HEART.

To those who aren’t going through trials at the moment, PLEASE PRAY PASSIONATELY FOR THOSE WHO ARE! Your prayer could save a human life! Pray as passionately as you would for a precious family member! Your simple prayer can make a difference!

To those who desperately need a listening ear and a prayer, please ring me. You are welcome!

Pastor Liz Howland (formerly Liz Collins of “Wandilla”, Marlborough)
Liz was born into a pioneering Central Queensland rural family.
Her passion is to see our Nation come to the life transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ, to convey the message that God’s life giving Word, (the Bible) is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago, and how to practically apply God’s principles in everyday life.